Antrim's hurlers will face a play-off against the Christy Ring Cup winners to save their Joe McDonagh Cup status for 2019 after their disappointing loss to Kerry in Cushendall on Saturday.

Leading by 1-10 to 0-3 after 20 minutes with Ciaran Clarke bagging an eighth minute goal, Antrim appeared to be cruising and looking for a favour from Westmeath against Carlow to book a place in the final, but a storming Kerry comeback, led by Shane Conway, left them reeling.

Neil McManus hit 0-17, which tells its own tale as Antrim struggled to get anything going in attack. A goal in first half-injury time from Kerry's Mickey Boyle left just one in it at the break, 1-12 to 1-11.

Antrim scored just once from play in the second period through Johnston, and Jack Goulding hit a 50th minute goal, to give The Kingdom a lead they would hold until the finish.